CLEVELAND (Feb 28, 2017) – Sherwin-Williams invites student designers to participate in its seventh annual STIR® Student Design Challenge for a chance at national recognition and cash prizes up to $2,500. The challenge is dedicated to celebrating excellence in residential and commercial design by students and is open for submissions March 1 through April 15. New in 2017, $1,000 will be awarded to the design schools that first place winners attend.

“Sherwin-Williams is excited to partner with established designers to celebrate our commitment to emerging talent in the industry,” said Sue Wadden, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams. “We are constantly inspired by the work that comes from design students and are pleased to provide another opportunity for them to share their innovative perspectives.”

In addition to Wadden, Cynthia Rowley will aid in assessing residential entries. Known for her ready-to-wear runway designs, Rowley breaks boundaries, imbuing a sense of adventure in all design projects from wet suits to furniture.

Also on the judging panel this year, Vern Yip, award-winning HGTV designer and author, will judge commercial entries. Yip has a reputation for his attention to detail married with precise, clean-lined interiors that exude warmth.

Students can enter original designs in two categories, residential and commercial. The contest is open to entries from individuals or from a design team of up to three students and there is no fee to enter. The top winner from each category will receive a $2,500 cash prize. Second-place winners will win a $1,000 cash prize and third-place winners will win a $500 cash prize. The two first-place winners will also have their work featured in the 2017 edition of Sherwin-Williams STIR magazine, a print magazine dedicated to design professionals, and all winners will be featured on the Sherwin-Williams Facebook page and in a future issue of the STIR eExtra email newsletter.

Additional information and updates are available on the Sherwin-Williams for Design Pros Facebook page at Facebook.com/SherwinWilliamsforDesignersArchitects. The full contest rules and entry submission instructions are available at swstudentdesign.com.

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For more than 150 years, Sherwin-Williams has been an industry leader in the development of technologically advanced paint and coatings. As the nation’s largest specialty retailer of paint and painting supplies, Sherwin-Williams is dedicated to supporting both do-it-yourselfers and painting professionals with exceptional and exclusive products, resources to make confident color selections and expert, personalized service at its more than 4,200 neighborhood stores across North America. For more information, visit sherwin-williams.com.